About
Marnus Broodryk is a South‑African‑born entrepreneur, investor and author who made a national name for himself as one of the “sharks” on Shark Tank South Africa in 2016. Before stepping onto television he built The Beancounter, an award‑winning cloud‑accounting firm, and later launched SME.africa, a platform and podcast series (“Making SMEs Matter”) devoted to helping small businesses thrive. His best‑selling book, 90 Rules for Entrepreneurs: The Codex of Hustle, topped South African business charts and has stayed popular thanks to its practical, straight‑talk approach. In 2023 he announced an early “retirement” at age 37 and relocated to Barcelona, using the freedom to travel, write and support founders from the sidelines. Today he divides his time between angel investing, sharing content with an engaged online community and championing the belief that entrepreneurship can lift entire economies.
Before Fame
Broodryk’s story starts in the rural town of Harrismith in South Africa’s Free State province. Raised by his mother, Delene, after his parents’ divorce, he learned the value of hard work early—washing cars, mowing lawns and designing basic websites just to cover school fees. Money was tight, and at times there was little food on the table, but the experience sparked an obsession with earning his own income. During high school he moved from odd jobs to more structured ventures, and by 14 he was already billing clients. After matric he studied accounting, working 18‑hour days and sleeping on friends’ couches when rent was overdue. The grind paid off: by 24 he was a self‑made millionaire and had founded The Beancounter, one of South Africa’s first fully cloud‑based accounting services. This reputation for hustle led producers to invite him onto Shark Tank SA, where his straight‑shooting style resonated with viewers.
Trivia
- Early millions: He reached his first million rand before his 25th birthday—something he often cites as proof that the best time to start is “when you know the least and have the least to lose.”
- Podcast host: Making SMEs Matter regularly ranks among South Africa’s top business podcasts and has featured voices such as Sir Richard Branson and Investec co‑founder Stephen Koseff.
- Best‑selling author: 90 Rules for Entrepreneurs became South Africa’s best‑selling business title in 2018 and spent 10 consecutive weeks on Amazon’s top list.
- World traveller: Since taking his sabbatical he has ticked off Scotland, India, Morocco, multiple Southeast‑Asian countries and much of Europe, yet still calls Barcelona his “current home base.”
- Open about sexuality: In a 2024 blog post he wrote candidly about coming out as gay and the overwhelming support he received, adding another layer to his advocacy for authentic leadership.
- Cat dad: Broodryk is famously fond of his two rescue cats, Marmite and Mowgli, and once joked in an interview that “the only board I truly answer to has fur.”
Family Life
Information regarding his date of birth varies slightly—some reports it as 1984, some 1985—but everyone is united in the 25 July birthday. His mother, Delene, held down several jobs to put food on the table and is still a focal point of his life; his father had alcohol issues and has otherwise kept low. Broodryk now resides in Barcelona and has openly voiced his desire to be a parent, stating entrepreneurship has taught him problem-solving, but “fatherhood will teach me patience.” The relocation to Spain also allowed him autonomy to invest remotely while building relationships with friends and family back home in South Africa.
Associated With
On Shark Tank South Africa he shared the panel with fellow investors Gil Oved, Vinny Lingham, Romeo Kumalo and Dawn Nathan‑Jones, collaborating on deals that ranged from eco‑friendly detergents to high‑tech security systems. Beyond the show he partners with Investec on the Making SMEs Matter podcast, and he regularly invites founders such as Leila Fourie (Johannesburg Stock Exchange) and Siya Kolisi (through the Kolisi Foundation) to his SME.africa events. He has also shared the stage with international icons such as Sir Richard Branson to promote entrepreneurship and youth job creation efforts. On a stage, a podcast or set, Broodryk has one message that remains consistent: the true drivers of growth are small businesses, and all founders should have an equal chance at success.
